Police Seize Weapons, Arrest Couple in Assaults

Santa Paula police have arrested a man and his wife after linking them to two recent assaults and gang activity in the city, authorities said.

Police officers Wednesday searched the apartment of Donald Smith, 32, and his wife, Brenda, 31, and found a 12-gauge shotgun, .22-caliber rifle and .38-caliber revolver.

Santa Paula Sgt. George Brink said Donald Smith flushed a stash of methamphetamine down a toilet as officers tried to break into the bathroom. Police also found a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Brink said the search warrant was executed after a two-week investigation prompted by allegations that the Smiths were hiding guns in their apartment on West Harvard Avenue for members of a Santa Paula gang.

Brink said he believes that one of the guns found in the apartment belongs to a gang member.

Police have also linked the couple to an alleged assault on a girl whose stolen property had been recovered from the Smith apartment. And they believe that Donald Smith is responsible for a December assault and robbery attempt on a man who lived in the same apartment complex. The man’s skull was fractured when he was struck from behind, Brink said.

Donald Smith is being held in County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. He was booked on suspicion of attempted robbery, kidnaping and two counts of assault.

Brenda Smith was booked on suspicion of kidnaping. She is also being held in County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Both Smiths are scheduled to appear in Ventura County Municipal Court today for arraignment.